Game Time!

It's spirit week here at Vanguard and that means lunchtime games!

• ·      Friday: Drop The Bomb. You have to drop pens from three feet in the air into skinny milk bottles.
• ·      Tuesday: Use Your Head: Contestants need to get a partner and someone sits in a chair with a cup on their head. The other person needs to take a ping-pong, bounce it off the table, off the wall and then get it into the cup 5 times.
• ·      Wednesday: Halloween Karaoke! "You can wear a mask and sing poorly and no one will know it was you!" says Mr. Impastato. Someone should take him up on this.
• ·      Thursday: Shoo Fly Shoe! You have to stand 10 feet away from a table and fling your shoe onto the table. Please wear clean socks. We don't want the tech center stinking up.
• ·      Friday: We're closing the week off with the usual of a pie eating contest, team tug-of-war and room decorating. Good luck, and may the best team win!

We're Almost A Forth Of The Way There

Vanguard is bringing it's first quater under wraps. As we find ourselves with only a little bit over a week left, we can reflect on how the 2012-2013 school year has treated us so far. For some students this quarter was a glimpse of what's to come in the later 75 percent.

For our new students, this quarter exposed them to a whole other world with coming to an entirely new learning environment and trying to adapt to it. These new students will be subject to go through even more alteration as with the end of the quarter comes new classes and for most of them this means moving on from Dr. Oz' to become a full-fledged service learner.

Dr. Oz' PM Group.

Dr. Oz' AM Group.

For returning and veteran Vipers, the quarter brought a bit of change with another altered school-day and longer lunch period and as always, they were greeted back with open arms to our wonderful community.

This quarter we've had tons going on. Our rock climbing camping trip, our annual trip to Sunrise Lake, the introduction of the "Gotcha" cards, the celebration of Banned Book Week, and the inaugural One Book One School reading of The Hobbit are just a few of the few of the milestones we've hit so far as a school and just the first of many to come in the 2012-2013 school year .

Vipers in the wilderness. 

I spoke with two new Vipers and they shared with me how their year has been so far.

"This place definitely went above my expectations. At first I thought it was going to be like a prison and I wasn't going to know anyone, but it's a lot more calm and quiet than home-schools. It's much more close and it gives teachers the ability to help students individually and I feel like that make things go by a lot easier. So far, I'd have to say my favorite experience here at Vanguard had to have been the camping trip. It was really fun and it's one of those things you do with your family like once a year and would never have been able to do at a home-school. This first quarter has flown by and if this keeps up it's gonna be a smooth year for me," said Mikey Panel.

"My first day here was like any first day of school, it was filled with confusion and I was trying to get used to everything. This is nothing I expected, I thought they were gonna be really strict here but it's nothing like that at all. The teachers are each like one us and they're all really cool. I come to school a lot more now so I know this year is going to go by really well,"articulated Erick Chihuahua.

But what is Vanguard without it's established occupants?

"I'm really used to all this now and I don't feel like a new kid anymore. I have a closer relationship with all the teachers and one of the first things I was really excited for was getting to see Ms. G again. This quarter has gone by really fast, I'm doing pretty well with my classes and I love my service sight. I was really glad to come back to Vanguard. I think this year is gonna be really good and I hope to get a lot out of it," declared Cassidy Polk.

"This is my second year here. At first when I got here I thought it was really different in a scary way. This year is really different for me because I know a lot more people than I did when I first arrived, I like know everyone here and the teachers pretty well. This year is going to be way more easier and better for me because now I know how everything works," said Dillon Krull.

We still have a bit more to cover this quarter with our annual pumpkin carving unit to start it's course just in time for halloween, open house this wednesday, October 15th, and the celebration of our spirit week. Other than that it looks like first quater is pretty much ready to close up shop.

Here's to a safe, fun, and academically fulfilling rest of the year!!





By: Eli Martinez

Yung Poppa Fights Title Fight

There's isn't very much going on currently at Vanguard today that i feel like we haven't covered yet. So in that case, posting an album review doesn't seem like an all too horrible idea.

Lately, people have been asking me what I'm listening to these days. I can say with great confidence that a majority of my time has been spent listening to one single band, none other than Kingston, Pennsylvania's favorite sons; Title Fight.

For those unaware, Title Fight is a four-piece hardcore band that came together in 2003 with Jamie Rhoden on guitar and vocals, and brothers Ben and Ned Russin on drums and bass/vocals. They added guitarist Shane Moran to the line-up in 2005 and very early on did they build a dedicated local following. Since their formation, they've been on a steady incline thanks to a passionate work ethic, hefty tour schedule, and phenomenal musicianship. Title Fight meshes many different aspects from various genres and brings them all together in a wonderful and cohesive combo while still paying homage to many great 90's bands.

Title Fight 2012. Left to right: Jamie Rhoden, Ben Russin, Ned Russin, and Shane Moran.

What started off as a straight forward pop-punk band filled with the utmost angst and catchiest hooks, Title Fight signed with Run For Cover records in 2008. In 2009 they released The Last Thing You Forget, a compilation of all their EP's with the addition of three new songs, the album was filled with some of the most memorable melodies and vehement compositions of sound.

From 2009 to 2010 they kept busy with their touring cycles and in early 2011 announced they had signed with SideOneDummy Records. It was in the spring of 2011 that Title Fight released their first full-length album entitled Shed. From then everyone noticed a change in their sound, they had flourished into what many people considered a melodic-hardcore band. Shed took the passionate intensity and furious delivery Title Fight had before and took it to another level, while still maintaining the beautiful melodies fans adored them for. At this point, the world witnessed a more matured and focused Title Fight and since then they have just continued to blow up without even coming close of hinting to slow down anytime soon.

Fast forward to 2012, after a summer run with the Van's Warped Tour, Title Fight released their sophomore LP Floral Green on September 18th. I have been listening to it non-stop since and with complete conviction I can say it is probably my favorite Title Fight release to date, my favorite album released this year, and one of my favorite albums released ever.

Ben holding it down at a Warped Tour 2012 date.

The album takes everything we've come to love about the band and completely refines it to a verge of excellence. Title Fight takes us on an intense 33-minute emotional roller coaster, filled with lush soundscapes, beautiful guitar work, and a passion and drive unmatched with any other band right now. They bring their punk roots together with the abrasiveness and calm melancholy of 90's grunge and emo. The concoction forms a wonderful flavor that carries a bit of a sting but leaves a fantastic aftertaste.

From the start the album sets in with a punk-like ferocious onslaught of sound with fantastic melodic undertones. Midway the album takes a drastic turn and this is where we really begin to get a glimpse of the progression that Title Fight has gone through. The album ends with some of the most unexpected music we've ever heard from them, think of it as the smooth come down from the fervid ride they have taken us on. The album is filled with some of the most heartfelt and real music to come across in a long time. Tracks like "Numb But I Still Feel It" and "Make You Cry" really showcase the emotion Title Fight are really known for displaying, while "Head In The Ceiling Fan" and "Lefty" show us a side to Title Fight we all knew was always there but never really got the chance to experience until now. In a nutshell, Floral Green sounds like Nirvana and Dinosaur Jr's lovechild met Weezer and Sonic Youth's lovechild, then they had a kid of their own who listened to Blink-182 and Sunny Day Real Estate, then that kid started a melodic-hardcore band and recorded this album.

But, let's talk about the guys responsible for writing this great record.

Ned returns with that same gravelly and harsh voice fans know him for but this time around he has really reached a point where he's not really screaming at times but singing with a very grungy rasp, take "Calloused" for example. He is still the most abrasive from the two vocalists but like everything Title Fight does, he keeps a strong sense of melody under all that roughness. Ned hasn't toned it down in the least bit, he's just toned it differently and I really like it. Then there's his bass parts, they're the grooviest they've probably ever been and there are absolutely no standard punk bass-lines here. He provides a strong and tasty foundation for each song. His bass provides the essential undertones that this album would be nothing without, he really brings everything into place to where it needs to be. He might not have as many stand-out parts as he could have had in the past, but his bass still shows a very strong and overall satisfying presence.

Ned Russin

Jamie on the other hand still remains the "prettiest" out of the two, but over the years he has probably changed the most vocally. Gone are the days of the youthful pop-punk vocals we first were introduced to and like a 7th-grade kid finally hitting puberty, Jamie's voice became fuller over time. On Floral Green he not only has his voice become a bit harsher but it alternates even more than ever, he has the ability to go from a very calm and deep melancholic croon to a very emotional wail.

Jamie Rhoden

Jamie also plays guitar, and Shane plays guitar too and holy crap do they play guitar well. I can say that this album by far holds the best guitar work Title Fight has ever written. The thunderous waves of resonance they create alongside the fantastic chords and post-rock like cries makes for some of the most versatile and beautifully crafted compositions in hardcore. They create a sense of atmosphere and vehemence unheard in past releases. It's almost as if the guitar tracks have feelings of there own because of the abundant amount of elation, despondence, and rage they're able to produce. Jamie and Shane are able to flawlessly incorporate so much emotion and passion in their playing and it is by far my favorite attribute this album has to offer.

Shane Moran

And then there's Ben, he plays drums. He probably is the one member that has shown the most drastic change in sound. Long gone are the classic "gallops" he often used previously and in there place is mid-tempo beats that stand as the hardware in the Title Fight machine. Ben slows down the pace but in no way does he sacrifice intensity or quality. He has amazing flow and glides behind everyone throughout the album. He is still a powerhouse and he is one of the tightest and most exciting drummers in the hardcore scene. Ben is the muscle behind Title Fight and he clearly gets that point across with every strike but don't let that fool you, he still has the ability to gently make his way through the lighter parts. He maintains groove, fury, and precision. Ben re-invents himself here and it's a reinvigorating breath of life into the band's sound.

Ben Russin

At the end we see a Title Fight that has honed their craft, a group of ambitious young men that has surely done some growing up the past couple years, a modern band with an old soul, and I really hope they continue to progress and dish out more and more amazing music.

I loved this album from start to end. Solid 4 out of 5.

Recommended tracks: In-Between, Like A Ritual, Make You Cry.

By: Eli Martinez

Getcha Pull With This Gotcha Poll

There's been something that's been making everyone scratch their heads here at our school. These little "gotcha" cards teachers have been giving out to students. I myself have even received one from the ever benevolent Ms. DeMeo and I wasn't very certain as to why though. That aside, I was then faced with a dilemma other students had as well; what exactly am I supposed to do with it? So I did abit of snooping around. According to teachers they're trying to set up some sort of reward system with these pieces of cardboard, they're just not completely sure as to exactly what those rewards are yet.

This one belongs to me.

For those who aren't aware, our school has adapted precepts we call the Vanguard Virtues. But not only do they apply in school, as most would agree they should be used in everyday life. A lot of teachers have unexpectedly handed out cards to students they feel have somehow really demonstrated a strong sense of what the virtues are all about without being told to do so.

Teachers have also given them to students they feel have succeeded in something they're not entirely comfortable or familiar with.

Our Viper Virtues

"You should never really let anything limit you from reaching a goal, It's really great when kids step out their comfort zone and do something they never thought they were capable of," said Mr. Markos.

And then there's my situation, where teachers have given them out solely based on their justification. Everything from outstanding participation in class, putting forth substantial effort in academics, doing the unexpected, or even just having a very strong interest in learning are all just a few examples.

"I gave that to you for spending your entire lunch engaging in a really big and intelligent talk with me," replied Ms. DeMeo when I asked her about the gotcha card she gave me.

So there you have it, not really many questions answered. Perhaps the mystery around these little cards isn't entirely a bad thing though. I'm sure it's going to prevent a ton of people from doing things for the wrong reasons if they don't really know what those reasons are. You should always dish out positive actions without expecting something in return, but hey that's just me. Then again this also might encourage others to do some good as well, seeing as how there's almost no one that doesn't like being rewarded. It can go either way.

We're still left with the matter of deciding what we should do with the "gotcha" cards. So Vipers, let's help the teachers out by giving some sort of input. In a comment, share what you would deem an ideal reward in exchange for 3 "gotcha" cards. Be realistic, be specific, and most of all be creative.

Your suggestion just might be one of the handful chosen!!


By: Eli Martinez
Pictures: Eli Martinez

Gotcha Being Good!

By Melissa Edwards

A new thing that has been making its way through the halls of Vanguard has been the new Gotcha Cards. The staff hands them out when they catch students doing something that shows them performing a task that displays the Viper Virtues.

         "I want people to really earn them. They have to mean something," comments Mrs. Meister.

         What are we going to do with these? There is no definite answer going off of the different stories I got from staff members.

         "Once you get three cards, you trade them at the school store for something," is what happens according to Mr. Impastato, "Once you get more then three, you get the honor of having your picture on the wall."

          But, according to Mrs. Meister, "A certain number of cards will get you lunch with a staff member of your choosing. A different amount will get you breakfast with out school's director."

         Mr. Heldmann's team has a poster up on one of the walls in his team room with the team members picture up with a pocket underneath. The student’s can, once they receive a card, put them in the little pocket to display.

         An anonymous source says that students will be able trade the cards in to play Bozo Buckets.

         "The good thing about them is you did something good to earn them," says Mrs. Meister, "It brings awareness to the Viper Virtues."

Student Councilors To Start Counseling Students

As we are well under wraps of the fist half-quater of the year and now that everyone is nice and settled, it only seems appropriate that we begin to assemble our beloved and very own student council once again. SCOV (Student Council Of Vanguard) was started last year as a means for our very own students to voice their own opinions in addressing problems and matters regarding our school and day-to-day happenings right here at Vanguard.

Our dearest Ms. McCann is the head honcho in charge of this ordeal and has already began to plan the first meetings.

"At times I seem to miss some of the norms of big schools like pep rallies and all the different clubs and things like that. Putting together activities like this is a lot of fun for me because it's not necessarily part of my job, but is something I do on the side that helps students voice there opinions and be a part of something bigger," vigorously admitted Ms. McCann.

But most people ponder, who exactly is part of the council this year and how did they get on there? Team leaders elected one student representative each from their teams, by means entirely up to teachers, either by having their teams vote, choosing from a selection of students who volunteered, or just picking someone they deemed worthy of the responsibility. In total 10 students have been opted as members of SCOV and the results are in.

Team Thunder - TBA

Team McCann - George Cervantes 

Team O'Neill - Nick Glatczack 

Team Heldmann - Shae Anders 

Team DeMeo - Francisco Lopez 

Team Koralik - Jacky Caldera 

Team Koz - Pete Miller 

Team Garcia - Emily Casey 

Team Medina-Perez - Collin Bauer

Team Kain - Ester Juarez

I had the chance to sit down with a few SCOV members and they shared their thoughts on what it means to them.

"It's really a privilege to be on SCOV. I'm super excited and I'm really hoping to help bring many  great changes to Vanguard," proudly pronounced George Cervantes.

"SCOV is a responsibility that encourages both students and teachers to form new ideas and take the initiative to bring a brighter future to Vanguard," said Jacky Caldera.

Of course SCOV is nothing without its veterans.

"SCOV is awesome because we contribute a lot and get stuff done. We're always listening to what students have to say and often we anonymously fulfill people's wishes and concerns. We certainly take a lot of weight Ms. Marsh's shoulders," rendered Emily Casey. This year being her second in SCOV.

SCOV's first meeting is tomorrow. They hope to meet weekly, according to speculation from various anonymous* sources.

All signs point to another great year for our student council.

By: Eli Martinez

*I usually don't post any forms of anonymity or anything along the lines of it. This is a very rare occurrence and it probably won't ever happen again.